Combined closure and decanting device for liquid containers



May 7, 1929. sfw. GADSDEN ET AL COMBINED CLOSURE AND DECANTING DEVICE FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 8, 1928 Patented May 7, 1929.

UNITED. STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

STANLEY WILKINSON GADSDEN AND NORMAN .COTTAM GAPSDEN, OF WEST MEL- BOURNE, AND CHARLES HAROLD TOPHAM, OF SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.

comnmnn CLOSURE AND nncnirrme nnvrcn ron mourn commune.

Application filed February 8, 1928, Serial No; 252,868, and inhustralia October 1, 1927.

This invention relates to a. combined 010- the device operatively applied to a. liquid" container which is indicated by relatively sure and decanting device for application to liquid containers, and especially suitable for use with cans containing motor spirit, lubricatingoil or the like. i

The invention relates more particularly to a combined closure and decanting device which is applied to seal 'or close a liquid 'containerafter it has been filled but before it is despatched to the retailer or distiibutor,

and in which provision is made for forming an outlet opening in the sealed closure so that the contents may be decanted by the ultimate purchaser or user.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a simple and eflicient device of the nature indicated comprising a puncturable plug or closure, a valve member for said closure and a spout movable with said valve member, these parts being so constructed and arranged that when the spout ismoved into a decanting position it automatically uncovers an outlet opening which is formed by-the user in the plug or closure, thus allowing the contents to be decanted, whilst the return motion of the spout into its normal position causes the valve to tightly close or cover the aforesaid outlet opening andthus prevent further escape of the liquid from the container, evaporation of the liquid, and the entrance of foreign matter into the container.

A further object of the invent on is to provide a closure anddecanting device of the nature indicated which enables hquid' to be effectively decanted at a comparatively fast rate, and which has means for positively excluding dust, rain or other foreign matter from lodging upon said spout and associated parts, and from'gaining access to the container. 0

' The above and other objects of the invention, and the various features thereof will, however, be more fully referred to in the following description which relates to several constructional embodiments of the invention.

Referring 'to the drawings which form,

part of this specification' Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a combined closure and decanting device according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an external front view of the device as seen in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of another and preferred constructional formof Figure 7 is a reduced side view partly in section and illustrating a furtheri'nodified construction of the device.

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of closure or plug of thedevice.

A device'in accordance with this invention includes a thin metal plug or closure 2, of substantially cylindrical or cup shape, which is adapted to be tightly fixed or. sealed withthe. top of a liquid container 4 preferably adjacent a corner or side edge thereof. The

in an outlet nipple or opening 3 formed'in plug may-have, at its top, an outstanding flange 6, the peripheral edge of which may within a gutter 7 formed in the top 8 of the container, for the reception of soldering material whereby the plug may be effectively secured in position. The flange 6 of the plug may also have an indication mark 9 or the like, as seen in Figures 5 and 6, ,ada ted to point towards the adjacent corner 0 the container 4 when the plug is assembled in proper position. I

The plug normally seals the outlet opening of the container, and provision is made whereby the purchaser or ultimate user of the container may readily form an outlet opening topermit egress of the liquid from the container. be adopted for the formation of such an outlet opening, whichv is indicated by the Various constructions may be bevelled or dished so that it fits snugly reference 10 in Figures 5 and 6. For instance, as seen in Figures 1 and 8, the bottom 11 0f the plug may be formed with an aperture 12 which. is offset from the centre,

this aperture being normally closed by a scaling member 13 which is readily punc turable or' displaceable to thereby form the I the plug bottom 11 may be provided with an expressed head, or rib 17 as seen in Figures 3 and 4 which extends around the zone of the opening 10. This bead or rib in ad-- dition to-limiting the extent of the outlet opening strengthens the plug bottom so that it is protected against distortion during formation of the opening. The weakened por- 1 tion 16 of the plug bottom 11 (or the sealing member 13) may be marked or embossed series 0 with appro riate words such as Puncture or Push in which are aligned with an out-- let port which is formed in the bottom of a valve member when the spout is'in a decanting position as seen in Figure 5.

The sealing plug or closure 2 provides a socket or bearing for rot-atably accommodating a valve member 21 which is carried by, and depends from the inner end of, a spout 22. This valve is also preferably of substantiallycup formation and isa close rotary fit within the plug. The upstanding sides of the plug and the valve member may be provided with co-aligned circular inwardly expressed beads 23, 24, which permit the valve and the spout to be turned or rotated, but prevent vertical movement of such parts relative to the plug 2. These beads are formed after the valve member has been placed within the plug. The upper edges of the aforesaid sealing member or strip 13 may be pressed into the annular groove formed in the plug 2 as seen in Figures 1 and 2. y

In the construction seen in Figure 8, which illustrates a preferred construction, the plu 2 is provided in its side with a internal circumferentially spaced beads or projections 25 say for example three in number,instead of an endless head as in the preceding figures. The valve member 21- however has an endless bead 24 as before described and illustrated. This construction permits of the plug 2 being placed within the outlet opening 3 of "the container and fixed thereto before the valve 21 is inserted withinthe plug. An operator may thus have access to the plu for soldermg purposes without any interference from the spout 22 and, vby theuse ,of a circular soldering iron or tool may speedily and effectively fix the plug in position in one operation. After the plug has been fixed in position the valve member 21 may be. in-

serted in the plug and pressed or snapped disengaged from the plug by downward pressure on the portion of the sealing member which is aligned with the opening 12 in the plug bottom. 7

The valve member 21 has a bottom 26 provided with a port 27 which is offset from the centre. The arrangement of part-s is such that the turning of the spout 22 into a decanting position, wherein it projects outwardly beyond the container A, as seen in Figure 5, brings\the outlet openings 10 and 27 of the plug 2 and the valve 21 into registry,'whilst when the spout member is-moved into its normal position wherein it extends inwardly across the top of the container as seen in Figure 6, the outlet opening 10 in the plug isautomatically closed by the bottom 26 of the valve member 21.

The spout member may, if desired, be of open top formation asseen in Figures 1 and 2, but in the preferred form of the invention, the spout is of substantially tubular form or, in other words, it is closed at its top by a hood or roof piece 31 as seen in Figures 3 to- 6 or Figure 7. -By employing a closed top spout, overrunning or wastage of the liquid during decanting is prevented, and the liquid may be decanted at a relatively rapid rate and effectively directed by the spout according to requirements. Furthermore, the hood over the top of the spout prevents dust, rain or other foreign matter from lodging in the spout, and the valve member also as. seen in Figures 3 to 6. By forming an opening 32 in the spout top or hood 31, as seen in Figures 3 to 6, and providing a removable cap 33 therefor as seen in Figures 3 and 4, access may be readily'had to the valve 21 and the plug 2 if, and when desired, whilst under normalconditions the cap prevents rain, dust and other foreign matter from collecting within the spout and the'valve, or from entering the container. Contamination of the liquid is thus avoided. 4

For convenience of manufacture, the

spout may be formed of'upper and lowers eet metal seetions36, 37 which are united to each other at their lower and upper edges.

The spout sections are preferably united by a seamed or crimped joint as illustrated, but they may be welded or soldered if so desired. The top of the spout is preferably flat and the access opening 32 formed therein for the cap '33 may be surrounded by a delivered to the actual user.

flange 38 and said cap may have a co-acting flange 39 to enable it to be securely, but det-achably, retained within the, opemng.

The valve member may, if desired, be formed integral with the lower section of the spout, but in mostinstances it will be found advisable for the valve member to be formed separately and made a tight fitwithin a depending annular portion 41 of the spout adjacent the inner end thereof.

According to the modification illustrated in Figure 7 the top or roof 31 of the spout 22 need not extend above the valve member 21. and in this instance, of course. the aforesaid access opening 32 and cap 33 will not .be required. a 1

It will be evident that, in addition to the advantages herein referred to, the device will also serve as a deterrentagainst per sons gaining, or attempting to gain. access to the interior of the --container during the period between which it is filled and sealed by theoil company or other wholesaler, and Access to the container can only be obtained by puncturing'or forcing the sealed plug or sealing strip, so that any attempt to tamper with the contents of the container will be readily apparent.

Having now described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentis 1. A combined closure and decanting device for liquid containers, comprising in combination, a cup-like plug adapted to be i made a fixture in an opening in the top-of a liquid container, a cup-like valve member rotatably mounted on said" plug and rovided in its bottom with an outlet port w ich 1 by rotation of said valve member may be brought into or out of registry with an outlet opening in thebottom of said plug, a spout outstanding from said valve member and movable therewith, a roofor hood extending across the topofrsaid spout and the top of said valve member, said roof being provided with an access opening which is in vertical alignment with said valve member, and a removable cap for said access opening,

21 A combined closure and decanting device for liquid containers, comprising in combination, a cup-like plug adapted to be made a fixture in an opening in the top of a liquid container, a cup-like valve member rotatably accommodated by said plug and provided in its bottom with an outlet port which, by rotation at said valve member,

may be brought into or out of registry with an outlet opening in the bottom of said plug,

a spout outstanding from said valve member and movable therewith, said spout being formed of upper and lower sections which are united at their lower and upper edges, said upper section extending completely across said spout and said valve member and being provided with an access opening which is in vertical alignmentwith said valve member, and a removable cap for said access open1ng.-

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures.

S. W. GADSDEN.

NORMAS C. GADSDEN.

CHARLES HAROLD TOPHAM. 

